He has also held important government positions, including Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2002 and member of the National Arbitration Committee with Eritrea over the Hanish Islands from 1996 to 2002.[3] In 1995, he served as Counsellor in the Office of the Foreign Minister. From 1986 to 1988, he was Director of the Deputy Foreign Minister’s Office. In 1997, he was a member of the Yemeni delegation to the United Nations Mission.[4] He also served as foreign minister from 2014 to 2015.